SARASOTA — The Sarasota County Commission took a step toward fostering the development of workforce housing Wednesday, unanimously approving an ordinance change reducing the number of parking spaces needed for residences of less than 900 square feet.

In doing so, the board widened the potential floorplan that would qualify for reduced parking from 750 square feet to 900 square feet.

Commissioner Alan Maio pushed for the increased square footage for practical reasons, referencing the needs of his daughter, who is a single mother.

“I could design her at 900 square feet a very adequate two-bedroom apartment for her and my grandson and it’s still only going to be one car,” Maio said. “That’s the exact class of citizens that could use the help.”

Commissioner Paul Caragiulo amended the ordinance in his motion for approval, adding that, “If it casts a wider net, than I’m all for it.”

Under the change, single-family units 900 square feet or less would require only one parking space, while those greater than that would require two spaces.

Those same requirements carry over for multifamily developments, with the addition that one visitor space per five units be created.

Developers would still be able to file an alternative parking plan, as well, noted Matt Osterhout, the director of planning and development services for Sarasota County.

The number of required parking spots plays a major role in determining what can be done on a piece of property, Maio noted since it impacts the percentage of asphalt coverage and stormwater planning. It is also a factor in the cost of attempting to provide workforce housing.

“In this case, we are looking to utilize space on a property more for people and less for cars, which is the way I’m looking at it,” he added.

The increase from the draft proposal of 750 square feet to to 900 square feet was welcomed by representatives of Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity, an interfaith coalition of local religious leaders, who spoke in support of the change.

“Families need more than 600- or 700-square-feet, no matter how much money they make,” noted SURE member Robert Kirkpatrick.

The next two major changes county staff must orchestrate involve counting a 900-foot square residence as one dwelling unit — which would double the amount of homes a developer could build without changing zoning — as well as a corresponding cut in half of impact, mobility and capacity fees.

“We got the first leg. It’s progress; it’s an incremental step,” Maio said prior to the vote. “I’d like to capture when the capturing is good then motivate our staff to bring the other pieces.”